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Thoughts on the San Francisco 49ers' 20-17 defeat to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park:

What it means: The 49ers missed a chance to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLVI thanks largely to two critical miscues in the return game, both by second-year backup punt returner Kyle Williams. Their defense played heroically at times but was unable to capitalize on several opportunities to force turnovers. With the offense struggling on third down, the 49ers simply couldn't persevere. This game will haunt the 49ers for years. How many times will San Francisco get to play a 9-7 team at home for a berth in the Super Bowl?

What I liked: Vernon Davis got open early for a 73-yard touchdown reception even though the Giants knew he was the one player most likely to beat them deep. Davis came through again in the third quarter with a go-ahead 28-yard scoring reception after a slick outside-in move to find a hole in the coverage. …

Frank Gore found running room. The 49ers’ coaching staff supplemented the ground game effectively with designed runs for Alex Smith. And the misdirection run to spring Kendall Hunter for a 14-yard gain was beautifully conceived. …

San Francisco’s pass rush improved in the second half, playing a big role in the team’s ability to take the lead and hold it heading into the fourth quarter. Aldon Smith and Justin Smith started getting to Eli Manning, allowing the 49ers to stay in the game even though their offense wasn’t sustaining drives. …

Williams’ 40-yard kickoff return midway through the fourth quarter gave the 49ers good field position and gave the 49ers a needed jolt. Smith followed with a 17-yard scramble. Delanie Walker's block on Kenny Phillips to help spring Hunter to the 5-yard line was reminiscent of the block Joe Staley threw for Smith last week. ...

The 49ers' defense stepped up repeatedly late in the game, especially when Smith sacked Manning.

What I didn’t like: The 49ers were miserable on third down, asking too many favors from their defense. They did not succeed on a third-down conversion until the final play of regulation. ...

Williams’ indecision on a punt return cost the 49ers when the ball bounced off his knee with San Francisco holding a 14-10 lead and 11:06 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams, subbing for injured veteran Ted Ginn Jr., couldn’t get out of the way after deciding at the last moment to bail on the return. The Giants took over at the San Francisco 28-yard line, then scored the go-ahead touchdown on third-and-15 from the 17. …

Then, after the 49ers' defense held in overtime, Williams fumbled during a punt return. The Giants recovered and kicked the winning 31-yard field goal.

Early in the game, the 49ers couldn’t get pressure on third down, giving Manning ample time to find open receivers and sustain drives. Manning completed eight passes for 125 yards to Victor Cruz in the first half. …

San Francisco played conservatively on offense shortly before halftime, letting the clock run down and settling for predictable runs. The Giants got the ball back and scored a field goal to take a 10-7 lead heading into halftime. …

The 49ers had no third-down conversions in the first three quarters. Their wide receivers were generally poor to invisible. …

The 49ers’ usually hard-hitting secondary struggled to get clear shots on the Giants’ receivers. That made it tougher for San Francisco to force turnovers. When the pass-rush improved in the second half, the 49ers missed an opportunity to pick off a pass when defenders collided, injuring cornerback Tarell Brown.

“X” factor a no-show: Those figuring the 49ers might need receiver Michael Crabtree to step up kept waiting and waiting, without results. Giants cornerback Corey Webster shut down Crabtree. The 49ers have been thin at wide receiver without Josh Morgan (injured reserve), Braylon Edwards (released) or Ginn (inactive due to injury). Crabtree, an occasional force for the 49ers late in the regular season, did not make an impact in the passing game.

Controversial call: Referee Ed Hochuli and crew ruled that Ahmad Bradshaw's forward progress was stopped before the 49ers forced him to fumble and recovered deep in Giants territory. That play could not be reviewed. A 49ers recovery in that situation -- tie game, a little more than two minutes remaining -- would have been huge. The head linesman threw his bean bag and made the ruling decisively. The question was whether the ruling was made hastily.

Interesting decision: The 49ers opted to punt on fourth-and-inches from the Giants’ 47-yard line while holding a 14-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. They were running the ball well, but their defense was also gaining the upper hand at that point in the game. Punting and playing for field position showed the 49ers thought their punting and defense could hold. The decision paid off for the 49ers when Aldon Smith’s sack helped limit the Giants to a three-and-out. But the defensive stop also precipitated Williams’ muffed punt.

Injuries of note: The 49ers lost left guard Mike Iupati to an ankle injury early in the game. Iupati returned, but was limping around at times. A knee injury kept Ginn from playing. Brown was down on the field for an extended period after colliding with safety Dashon Goldson. Medical personnel brought out a stretcher board, but Brown walked off slowly, with assistance. Brown suffered thigh and head injuries, according to the 49ers. Walker played for the first time since suffering a broken jaw at Seattle in Week 16.

What’s next: The 49ers head toward the draft needing help at wide receiver in particular.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Thoughts after the San Francisco 49ers' 36-32 divisional playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints on Saturday at Candlestick Park:

What it means: The 49ers are headed to the NFC title game against the winner of the New York Giants-Green Bay Packers game Sunday. They will play at home if the Giants win. They will visit Green Bay if the Packers win. Alex Smith and Vernon Davis showed their playoff mettle in leading the 49ers back from fourth-quarter deficits not once, but twice. This will go down as one of the great games in 49ers history and in NFL postseason history.

What I liked: Smith's winning 14-yard touchdown pass to Davis showed the 49ers were playing to win, not for overtime. On the 49ers' previous drive, Smith's 37-yard strike to Davis up the left sideline and 28-yard touchdown run on a beautifully executed keeper put the 49ers ahead with 2:11 remaining. The 49ers played the game on their terms early, delivering punishing hits while hawking the ball. They forced three first-quarter turnovers and built a 17-3 lead. Dashon Goldson outfoxed Drew Brees to pick off one pass. Tarell Brown made an athletic play for another interception. Smith capitalized on the turnovers, finding Davis for a 49-yard touchdown and Michael Crabtree for a 4-yarder that showed San Francisco has indeed made progress in the red zone recently. Donte Whitner in particular roughed up the Saints, knocking out running back Pierre Thomas with a concussion and pounding tight end Jimmy Graham. The defense held firm after the 49ers suffered their first turnover in six games, right before halftime.

What I didn't like: The 49ers' defense, ranked fourth overall in yards allowed per game during the regular season, gave up go-ahead pass plays covering 44 and 66 yards in the final five minutes. The 49ers forced four first-half turnovers and still led by only three. Smith paid for the aggressive offensive plan, taking third-down sacks, including one that led to the 49ers' first turnover since a Week 12 game at Baltimore. Crabtree, after making his scoring grab, had trouble holding onto the ball on contested throws. The 49ers needed him to win those battles. Goldson went for the big hit on Marques Colston, but Brees led Colston away from trouble, producing a 31-yard gain when the 49ers led by only six points in the third quarter. Frank Gore had seven drops during the season and had a hard time throwing in this game, sending one back to Smith on a hop to sap the potential from a trick play. The 49ers' defense cracked with the game on the line, allowing Darren Sproles' go-ahead 44-yard touchdown reception.

Play calling raised eyebrows: The 49ers' aggressiveness on offense led them away from the ground game. The early passing helped the 49ers take a 14-0 lead with scoring passes to Davis and Crabtree. Pass plays continued outnumbering runs as the game progressed, however, and the 49ers did not get into a rhythm on the ground. The 49ers had 29 pass attempts and 15 rushes through three quarters. They also had taken four sacks to that point, widening the disparity. The strategy was easy to question because the 49ers' wide receivers were not playing at a high level.

Defensive player of the year: It would be tough to argue against the 49ers' Justin Smith, the team's most consistent and consistently dominant player. Smith's brute power won out when he sacked Brees on third down when the 49ers absolutely needed a stop in the third quarter. Later, with 49ers up only three, Smith drove Pro Bowl left tackle Jermon Bushrod into Brees for a sack. These were Reggie White-type plays at critical moments.

Injury notes: The 49ers got receiver Ted Ginn Jr. back from injury, but Ginn spent as much time on the exercise bike as on the field, it seemed. His knee was a problem. Ginn had trouble getting much traction in the return game and was called for pass interference late in the third quarter. Officials flagged receiver Kyle Williams for offensive interference on the next play. Both calls appeared straightforward. The Saints declined both.

What's next: The NFC title game.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons' 24-2 playoff loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

What it means: This was much more than just a loss. This was devastating for the entire Falcons organization. Yeah, give the Giants credit for winning the game. But give the Falcons plenty of blame for losing. This team had sent out a strong signal that the Super Bowl was the goal when it traded up to draft Julio Jones and signed free-agent defensive end Ray Edwards. The Falcons didn’t even come close to the Super Bowl. For the second straight year -- and the third time in four years -- the Falcons lost their opening playoff game.

When you have those expectations and those results, you can’t expect owner Arthur Blank to remain patient forever. Coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan never have won a postseason game. Their jobs aren’t in jeopardy -- yet. But everyone around them (assistant coaches, offensive linemen and receivers who can’t hang onto passes) is suddenly on the hot seat. This loss will prompt some changes in Atlanta.

Fourth-and-nowhere: Smith elected to go for it on fourth-and-inches twice when he could have kicked field goals. That didn’t work either time. Smith also failed when he went for it in overtime against the Saints during the regular season. Anyone notice a theme here? I think you’ll be reading a lot more about this in my follow-up column.

What happened to the offense? This was a legitimate question during the regular season, but it really showed in the playoff game. The Falcons have no offensive identity, no idea whether they’re a running or passing team. Against the Giants, they weren’t either; they simply were a terrible offense. That’s a far cry from those lofty expectations I mentioned above.

Big players make big drops: Atlanta receiver Roddy White led the NFL in drops during the regular season. He escalated that in the postseason. White dropped at least two passes, possibly three and maybe even four. I’m not sure how or why, but White went from being one of the league’s most sure-handed receivers in 2010 to a drop machine this season. I’m not saying White’s done in Atlanta by any means. But he’s getting up in age, he comes with a high price tag and it wouldn’t totally shock me if he’s dangled for trade in the offseason.

Total mismatch: Atlanta’s offensive line was totally destroyed by the Giants’ pass rush. Not surprising, really. The Falcons built this line for run -- not pass -- blocking. Ryan was bad, largely because he had no chance. The Falcons already had given up on Sam Baker at left tackle. Journeyman replacement Will Svitek got exploited and showed he’s not a long-term answer. The Falcons need to get a left tackle. Problem is, they won’t have a first-round draft pick (that went in the deal for Jones), and the list of left tackles coming available in free agency isn’t too promising. Remember what I mentioned about perhaps shopping White. Oh, and Joe Hawley doesn’t look like the answer at right guard.

What’s next: An offseason of change at the Falcons’ Flowery Branch facility. This team has a ton of talent, and it won’t be blown up. But there will be significant tweaks in different areas.

ATLANTA – Thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons’ 45-24 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

What it means: The Falcons are 10-6 and in the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. The Falcons are in as the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs. They’ll play on the road against the winner of Sunday night’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. The Buccaneers ended their season in dismal fashion. After starting off 4-2, they lost their final 10 games and weren’t even competitive in most of those.

Momentum found: The Falcons bounced back nicely after a bad Monday night loss to the New Orleans Saints. Yeah, they were playing the Bucs, who might have become the worst team in the NFL, but the victory should create a positive vibe for the Falcons as they head into the playoffs.

Record Turner: Michael Turner broke Gerald Riggs’ team record for career rushing touchdowns with two in the first half. Turner now has 50 rushing touchdowns since joining the Falcons in 2008. Riggs set his record over the course of seven seasons. Turner also tied Riggs’ team record with his 25^th 100-yard rushing game since joining the Falcons. Too bad Turner doesn’t play for the Saints. Sean Payton would have kept feeding Turner the ball and given him a shot at a 500-yard day.

Roddy’s records: Roddy White became Atlanta’s all-time leader in receiving yards. He passed Terance Mathis’ previous record of 7,349 yards. White also had his 100th catch of the season. That makes White the first player to have two seasons of 100 or more catches.

Farewell, Jeff George: Quarterback Matt Ryan surpassed Jeff George’s 1995 record for passing yards in a season (4,143).

The Morris Watch: If Tampa Bay’s ownership hadn’t made a decision about the future of coach Raheem Morris before Sunday, another embarrassing loss couldn’t have helped his case. This game was over almost as soon as it started and it’s stunning to remember that the Bucs beat the Falcons in Week 3. As has been the case through most of the losing streak, the Bucs looked like a team with no direction. At some point in the next few days, the Glazer family, which owns the Bucs will have to break its silence and let the world know if they’re sticking with Morris or going in a different direction.

What’s next: The Falcons have to wait until the end of Sunday night’s game between the Giants and Cowboys to find out where they’ll travel to for the first round of the playoffs. The Buccaneers will get a top 10 draft pick and an offseason that’s sure to be filled with change even if Morris stays.

NEW ORLEANS -- Thoughts on the New Orleans Saints’ 45-16 victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

What it means: The Saints (12-3) clinched the NFC South, which means they’ll be one of the top four seeds in the playoffs. They still have a shot at going as high as the No. 2 seed, but they’ll need to win their finale and hope San Francisco loses. The Falcons (9-6) already are in the playoffs, but now they can’t do any better than the No. 5 seed. Also, New Orleans’ victory means that, once again, no team has won the NFC South in consecutive years since the division came into existence in 2002.

Record time: With two minutes and 51 seconds left in the game, Drew Brees made history. With a touchdown pass to Darren Sproles, Brees broke Dan Marino's record for passing yards in a season. Marino had 5,084 yards in 1984. Brees came into the game needing 305 yards to break the record. He finished with 307 yards. Brees also threw four touchdown passes.

The Sproles factor: I might be overlooking someone, but I don’t think I’m too far off in saying Sproles was the best free-agent signing in the NFL this year. Sproles has made huge contributions as a runner, receiver and a return man. Early this season, I still saw some fans wearing Reggie Bush jerseys. I don’t think I’ve seen one in a couple of months.

The great debate: After watching the Saints absolutely dominate what had been a good Atlanta team for the past month or so, I think it’s fair to start talking about how the Saints match up with the Green Bay Packers. Remember, the Saints took the Packers down to the wire in the season opener at Lambeau Field. I know for certain the Saints are a better team now than they were in September. Yeah, you can bring San Francisco into the argument too, but that kind of waters things down. The Saints and Packers play great offense and a postseason game between them would be as exciting a game as you could ask for.

What I didn't like: From an Atlanta perspective, the way the Falcons lost this game had to be demoralizing. The Falcons had seemed to be on a roll in recent weeks. They’re already in the playoffs and they should have an easy finale. But the momentum Atlanta had built over the past month or so has been shattered. If they somehow end up facing the Saints again in the playoffs, that’s not a good psychological matchup. The Saints have defeated the Falcons twice already and that’s got to be in the heads of the Atlanta players.

What's next: The Saints host the Carolina Panthers in the regular-season finale on Sunday. The Falcons host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

SEATTLE -- Thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers following their Week 16 game Saturday at CenturyLink Field:

What it means: The 49ers eliminated the Seahawks from playoff contention while tightening their grip on the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. This was a gritty, meaningful performance from the 49ers -- and from the Seahawks. Marshawn Lynch ended the 49ers' 36-game streak without allowing a 100-yard rusher and their 15-game streak without allowing a rushing touchdown. Those feats served notice that Seattle is ready to hold up its end in what should be a hotly contested rivalry for years. But the 49ers are the only NFC West team heading to the playoffs this season.

What I liked: Both teams were ready for a hard-nosed, physical fight. Periodic skirmishes interrupted play and neither team was backing down. The offenses fared better than anticipated in the running game. That helped the 49ers get into third-and-short situations frequently. Seattle deserves lots of credit for getting its ground game going against the NFL's top run defense while playing with a line featuring three backups, including journeyman guard Paul McQuistan at left tackle and the little-known Lemuel Jeanpierre at right guard. Niners quarterback Alex Smith recovered from a rough first half to lead San Francisco on a fourth-quarter drive to the winning field goal, keyed by a 41-yard strike to Michael Crabtree. And the 49ers' defense, though unusually vulnerable throughout this game, provided the clinching turnover when Tarvaris Jackson held the ball too long, inviting a fumble-forcing tackle. The 49ers weathered a rough first half without wavering. They opened the second half with a touchdown drive featuring two clutch sideline receptions by tight end Vernon Davis. Smith scrambled effectively. David Akers made 4 of 5 field goals for the 49ers, setting a single-season NFL record for made field goals.

What I didn't like: Both teams suffered critical breakdowns at key moments. Seattle's Chris Clemons jumped offsides to give the 49ers an early first down. Davis and Crabtree dropped passes deep in Seattle territory. The 49ers allowed a blocked punt to set up the go-ahead touchdown for Seattle in the closing minutes. Seattle botched a goal-line situation in the first half and had to settle for a field goal. Both sides could stand to work on their sportsmanship, it appears. Fans chanted for the Seahawks while medical personnel tended to an obviously injured Kyle Williams following a scary collision. Williams took a hard hit from two Seahawks after slipping during a kickoff return. The play resulted in a 15-yard penalty against Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson. As the game was ending, 49ers coaches were heard yelling, "Merry Christmas" as they left for the locker room. I retreated to the area where they were walking and saw offensive coordinator Greg Roman yell, "Merry Christmas" one more time. This was an emotional game for all involved.

Tactical adjustment: The Seahawks, sustained by Lynch's running in recent weeks, came out throwing against the 49ers' top-ranked rush defense. They found rookie Ricardo Lockette for a 44-yard gain up the right sideline, the first career reception for Lockette. They closed the drive with a scoring pass to receiver Doug Baldwin.

Field position battle: The 49ers have led the NFL in average drive start and opponents' average drive start. The Seahawks beat the 49ers at their own field-position game in building a 10-3 halftime lead. They began first-half drives at their own 36.6-yard line on average. The 49ers began their first-half drives at their own 16.3-yard line on average.

Infirmary report: The 49ers lost tight end Delanie Walker to a jaw injury after a frightening collision in the first half. Walker took an inadvertent knee to the head. The impact was hard enough to twist around Walker's helmet and send it flying off his head. Walker then fell over backward, striking his unprotected head on the turf. Walker was down for an extended period before medical personnel drove him off the field on a cart. Walker waved to fans as he left the field. The 49ers' Ahmad Brooks and Justin Smith returned to the game after suffering injuries in the first half.

What's next: The 49ers close the regular against the St. Louis Rams in the Edward Jones Dome. The Seahawks close the regular season against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Thoughts on the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks following the Seahawks' 30-13 win at CenturyLink Field:

What it means: The Seahawks improved to 6-7 and kept alive their long-shot playoff hopes. They did not play well enough to inspire much confidence heading into games against Chicago, San Francisco and Arizona. Both offensive lines struggled. Sam Bradford struggled and took a beating. This was an ugly game pitting two teams with severe injury problems on their offensive lines and insufficient firepower. Seattle inevitably pulled away. The Rams' pass-happy play calling near the goal line should invite harsh criticism.

What I liked: Marshawn Lynch and Steven Jackson ran exceptionally hard, occasionally with positive results. Lynch broke multiple tackles during a 12-yard run to the St. Louis 10-yard line in the third quarter. Both defensive fronts exploited mismatches exaggerated by injuries along both teams' offensive lines. The Rams, after allowing more rushing yards than any team in the league before Week 14, did a good job against Lynch early in the game. Jackson gained 50 yards on a screen. The Seahawks were at times effective exploiting the perimeter with Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate, an effective strategy against a defense lacking speed outside. Seattle's Brandon Browner made an aggressive, athletic play on the ball to pick off Bradford's pass to open the second half. Browner snagged the ball between his forearm and biceps, controlling it before gathering himself and securing the interception, his fifth of the season. Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson held the ball too long at times, but he improved as the game progressed. Jackson completed 21 of 32 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown and a 96.4 NFL passer rating.

What I didn't like: The Rams goal-to-go offense remained abysmal and was never worse than when Bradford took an intentional-grounding penalty when a touchdown would have pulled St. Louis within three points late in the third quarter. Why were the Rams passing in that situation? Because that is what they do. The Rams entered Week 14 running the ball only 32 percent of the time from inside opponents' 10-yard line. Only Green Bay has a lower percentage. That type of strategy makes sense for the Packers. They have Aaron Rodgers and one of the NFL's best offenses. The Rams have Steven Jackson and not much else. Later, the Rams ran Bradford on a failed sneak from the 1 despite his bad ankle. Also, Rams receiver Austin Pettis and tight end Lance Kendricks, perhaps wary of previous big hits from Seattle strong safety Kam Chancellor, appeared to shy away from contact early in the game. Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis dropped what should have been a momentum-turning pick early in the game. Both quarterbacks struggled against pressure. Seattle's Tarvaris Jackson held the ball too long. Browner and fellow Seahawks corner Richard Sherman again could not keep their hands to themselves, drawing repeated penalties for interference/illegal contact. Sherman also drew a taunting penalty after breaking up a third-and-goal pass from the 1.

Roster roulette: The Rams kept only two quarterbacks active, Bradford and Kellen Clemens, even though Bradford was clearly hurting. Bradford gutted it out and made it through the game. At one point, however, the Rams' medical team was surrounding him while Clemens warmed up along the sideline.

Skittles shower: Fans showered Lynch with his favorite candy after Lynch's touchdown run blew open the game late in the fourth quarter. That run gave him 115 yards for the game and 969 for the season. Lynch topped 100 yards rushing for the fifth time in six games. He scored a touchdown for the ninth game in a row, not counting the game he missed against Cleveland in Week 7.

Bradford did not look right: The Rams' quarterback showed toughness and mettle, but he had trouble driving the ball downfield. Watching him run away from pressure and then feebly succumb to a sack in the final minutes showed how much Bradford's ankle injury was limiting him. A sense of futility pervaded the Rams at times.

Boos rain upon Leavy: Referee Bill Leavy was working a game in Seattle for the first time since his crew's controversial rulings during Supe Bowl XL angered the Seahawks. Fans booed when Leavy waved off an interference call against the Rams in the third quarter. They would have booed that ruling no matter the referee, but if there was a little extra vigor, the history explained it.

What's next: The Seahawks visit the Chicago Bears. The Rams are home against Cincinnati.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons' 31-23 victory against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday:

What it means: The Falcons struggled early, but they did what they had to do. They got the win to move to 8-5 and that keeps their playoff hopes very much alive. This wasn’t particularly pretty, but a win is a win this time of year. But this game also showed that Carolina can play with just about anybody. The Panthers have been doing that all season and this was a chance to take the next step: beat a good team. But the Panthers squandered a big lead and showed there still is a lot of work to be done.

What I liked: Atlanta’s resilience. The Falcons were on the ropes, but they fought back. Quarterback Matt Ryan got another fourth-quarter comeback victory. He also finished with four touchdown passes.

What I didn’t like: Cam Newton's second half. The Carolina rookie quarterback was dynamic in the first half. But it sure looked like he was trying to do too much in the second half. He forced two throws that turned out to be interceptions.

What else I didn’t like: Carolina’s defense. It’s as bad as advertised. The Panthers started off playing pretty well on defense, but it didn’t last. That’s been a constant theme this season. I know the Panthers are without injured linebackers Thomas Davis and Jon Beason and defensive tackle Ron Edwards. Those guys would help a lot, but no one has really stepped forward to replace them.

O-line rebounds: Not sure if the credit goes to some dramatic halftime adjustment in blocking plans or if the Carolina defense simply folded, but Atlanta’s offensive line did a masterful job of protecting Ryan in the second half, after subjecting him to all sorts of pressure in the first half.

Julio’s redemption: Atlanta rookie receiver Julio Jones had been having a rough couple of weeks and Sunday was shaping up to be another one of those days. But Jones caught two second-half touchdown passes, including one that put the Falcons ahead to stay.

What’s next: The Panthers play at Houston next Sunday. The Falcons are home Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

NEW ORLEANS -- Thoughts on the New Orleans Saints’ 31-17 victory against Detroit on Sunday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

What it means: The Saints are 9-3 and closing in on an NFC South title (of course, the fact Atlanta lost to drop to 7-5 helped). More significantly, the Saints seem to be putting it together at the right time. Since an embarrassing loss to St. Louis on Oct. 30, the Saints have been very impressive in four straight victories. Their defense was especially good early on against the Lions. Receiver Calvin Johnson was held to two catches in the first half. The offense had pretty much put the game away by halftime. Speaking of the defense, I don’t think that it was any coincidence this performance came as middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma, the unquestioned leader of the defense, returned from a knee injury.

Weird stat of the night: Believe it or not, this was the third straight game in which the Saints, who are known for their prolific offense, did not score a touchdown in the first quarter. They scored only a field goal. Last week against the Giants, the Saints did not score in the first quarter. In a victory against Atlanta two weeks ago, the Saints only had a field goal in the first quarter.

Milestone night: In only his second year, tight end Jimmy Graham went over the 1,000 yard receiving mark. Graham is the first New Orleans tight end to have 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

Redemption time: Second-year cornerback Patrick Robinson got beat on a pass to Titus Young as the Lions were driving late in the second quarter. But Robinson bounced back to block a field-goal attempt as the second quarter ended and the Saints went into halftime with a 24-7 lead.

Three in a row: The Saints clinched their third consecutive winning season. They now have winning seasons in four of coach Sean Payton’s six seasons.

Dome Patrol: The Saints are 6-0 at home this season. The only other time the Saints started off by winning their first six home games was 2009. Yep, that's the season they won the Super Bowl.

What’s next: The Saints travel to Nashville to play the Tennessee Titans at LP Field next Sunday.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Thoughts on the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams following the 49ers' 26-0 victory at Candlestick Park in Week 13:

What it means: The 49ers clinched their first NFC West title since the 2002 season, ensuring a return to the postseason. They paid a high price when Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis suffered a hamstring injury that prevented him from continuing. Despite the lopsided final score, the 49ers have been sloppier over their past three games than they had been previously. They spent much of Sunday looking like a team that has plateaued and needs a spark despite a 10-2 record. The Rams' utter ineptitude was the 49ers' greatest ally. St. Louis played without quarterback Sam Bradford, both starting tackles, all their relevant cornerbacks and a long list of others. Their defense showed improvement against the run, but the team went backward overall -- not good for coach Steve Spagnuolo.

What I liked: The 49ers sought to attack down the field in the passing game. They were able to get receivers and tight ends open consistently, including when Alex Smith found Michael Crabtree for a 52-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. Receiver Kyle Williams showed good hands catching a high third-down pass. Williams also delivered a violent stiff-arm against Rams safety Quintin Mikell following a 25-yard gain on a running play. Smith completed 17 of 23 passes for 274 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a career-best NFL passer rating of 142.3. For the Rams, Chris Long collected at least one sack for a sixth consecutive game. The Rams' defensive tackles were active against the run, forcing the 49ers away from their running game.

What I didn't like: The 49ers continued to struggle in the red zone. Vernon Davis dropped a pass in the end zone. Davis also fumbled. Mindless penalties hurt the 49ers more than once, none worse than the one Dashon Goldson incurred for excessive celebration following an interception. Penalties for delay of game and false starts stunted drives when the game was still close in the first half. Smith, despite strong overall numbers, missed a wide-open Ted Ginn Jr. open on a deep route up the left sideline. The 49ers were flagged for holding on the play, anyway. Crabtree dropped a third-down pass early in the game. For the Rams, receiver Austin Pettis set an ominous tone by dropping a third-down pass to kill the team's opening drive. Danario Alexander could not hold onto a deep pass near the goal line, squandering a rare scoring opportunity for St. Louis.

Akers gets the record: David Akers set a 49ers franchise record for most made field-goal tries in a season. That was good for Akers, but also a reflection of the 49ers' continuing inefficiency in the red zone.

Gore assumes top spot: Frank Gore needed only 22 yards to pass Joe Perry as the 49ers' career rushing leader, not counting Perry's yardage gained in the All-America Football Conference. Gore assumed the top spot in the first half even though the Rams generally did a good job keeping him under control. He finished with 21 carries for 73 yards.

Streak continues: The 49ers still have not allowed a rushing touchdown this season.

What's next: The Rams visit the Seattle Seahawks for a Monday night game in Week 14. The 49ers visit the Arizona Cardinals.

MIAMI -- Here are some initial thoughts on the Miami Dolphins' dominant 34-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders:

What it means: Miami won its fourth game in five tries and continues to relish its role of spoiler. The Dolphins improved to 4-8 and will have their third consecutive non-winning season. But they continue to share their misery by beating other teams late in the season. This was Miami's most complete and impressive performance of the year. The Dolphins took advantage of their 10 days of preparation and looked very sharp offensively and defensively. It also came against an Oakland team (7-5) that is leading the AFC West.

Defense continues to dominate: The light has come on for Miami's defense. The group has been one of the league's better units for the past month. The Dolphins baffled and battered Oakland's offense Sunday. Miami held Oakland to just 14 points, which were scored in garbage time, and sacked Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer two times. Miami was the NFL's sixth-rated unit in 2010, but started slow this season during its 0-7 start. The group is finally rounding back to its expected form.

Bush continues to thrive: Dolphins starting running back Reggie Bush continues to have his most successful season running the football. Bush rushed for 100 yards on 22 carries. By the fourth quarter, Dolphins fans were chanting "Reggie! Reggie!"

Seymour Watch: A fine could be forthcoming for Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour. He was ejected in the third quarter after a half-hearted attempt to punch Miami guard Richie Incognito. Seymour has a reputation for questionable play and the refs wasted no time ejecting him. This was the second ejection in as many seasons for the former Pro Bowl player. Seymour also was ejected last season for a shot to the face of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after the whistle.

What's next: The Dolphins will play their second consecutive home game next week when the Philadelphia Eagles (4-8) come to town. Miami is looking to win its fourth consecutive game at home.

SEATTLE -- Thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks' 31-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night at CenturyLink Field:

What it means: The Seahawks improved to 5-7 for the season, including 2-2 against teams from the NFC East. They continued to build on recent successes in the ground game, a top priority heading toward next season. Marshawn Lynch strengthened his case for a long-term contract with his fourth 100-yard rushing performance in his past five games. This game was progress for Seattle.

What I liked: Seattle established its ground game -- again. The team fed off Lynch's power running. Pass protection was generally good enough, breaking down mostly when Tarvaris Jackson held onto the ball. Jackson had third-down completions for 21, 26 and 25 yards in the first half. Two of those plays sustained separate touchdown drives. Kam Chancellor picked off Vince Young to end the Eagles' opening possession, the first of four interceptions by the Seattle defense. Brandon Browner, plagued by penalties in coverage this season, broke up a deep pass at the last moment after initially getting beat. Browner also picked off two passes, giving him three intercerceptions over the past two games. Second-year receiver Golden Tate caught a touchdown pass for the second week in a row. The athleticism that appealed to Seattle when Tate was at Notre Dame showed up on two plays, including his leaping TD grab in the back of the end zone.

What I didn't like: The Seahawks allowed a rushing touchdown for the second week in a row after allowing none previously since Week 4. They failed to get pressure quickly enough, enabling a 47-yard completion to set up LeSean McCoy's scoring run. Seattle's defense had trouble getting off the field during a 17-play, 80-yard Eagles drive spanning more that 10 minutes of the second half. Penalties, a big problem for Seattle this season, dogged the team early in the game. The Seahawks committed their first less than 10 seconds into the game. They improved in that area as the game progressed, however.

Lynch's big night: Lynch carried 22 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns. This was his most rushing yardage in a game since Seattle acquired him. Lynch previously ran for 135 yards against Dallas earlier this season. He set his career high (153 yards) while with Buffalo in 2007.

Hawthorne active, and then some: The Seahawks weren't sure whether David Hawthorne's knee would let the middle linebacker play against the Eagles. Hawthorne, listed as questionable on the injury report, sealed the outcome for Seattle with a 77-yard interception return for a touchdown. Having the weekend off should help Hawthorne get ready for Week 14.

Miller OK: Tight end Zach Miller was slow to get up after absorbing a blindside hit while trying to get open for a scrambling Jackson in the third quarter. Miller walked off the field. The big hits he takes are of added concern after Miller suffered a concussion on a brutal hit from the New York Giants. But Miller returned and caught a pass late in the game.

Okung leaves game late: Left tackle Russell Okung came out of the game late after suffering what appeared to be an injury to his right arm or shoulder.

Timing off early: The Seahawks' pregame flag-raising ceremony has become a tradition at home games. Fans' excitement grows as a celebrity with local ties -- former SuperSonics coach Bill Russell was the choice Thursday night -- raises the "12th Man" flag right before kickoff. The timing was fouled up this time. The game began before stadium video operators could cue their Russell tribute. Cameras showed a confused look on coach Pete Carroll's face as the game kicked off while the ceremony was only beginning. Awkward.

What's next: The Seahawks are home for a Monday night game against the St. Louis Rams in Week 14.

SEATTLE -- Thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks' 23-17 defeat to the Washington Redskins at CenturyLink Field in Week 12:

What it means: The Seahawks missed a chance at their first three-game winning streak since the 2007 season. Continuing problems with penalties and surprising troubles on defense dropped their record to 3-7. Seattle remains mathematically alive in the NFC West race, but those chances will end with the Seahawks' next defeat or the San Francisco 49ers' next victory.

What I liked: Marshawn Lynch continued to produce as a runner and receiver. This was his seventh consecutive game with a touchdown, not counting when he was a last-minute scratch from the lineup and did not play against Cleveland in Week 7. Right guard Paul McQuistan, a starter since rookie John Moffitt landed on injured reserve, spring Lynch's 20-yard scoring reception with an impressive open-field block on Redskins safety LaRon Landry. The Seahawks downed Jon Ryan's punt at the 2 before halftime, preventing the Redskins from attempting a scoring drive. Leon Washington changed field position with strong kickoff returns, including a 51-yarder. Both starting cornerbacks, Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman, picked off passes.

What I didn't like: The Seahawks' defense could not get off the field, especially early in the game. The Redskins nearly doubled up the Seahawks in first-half time of possession (19:42 to 10:18). They too often appeared helpless while Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman completed 16 of 19 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Washington finished with 417 yards. The Seahawks allowed a rushing touchdown for the first time since a Week 4 game against Atlanta. Seattle continued to struggle with penalties. Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was too often inaccurate. When he did place the ball correctly, his receivers did not catch it consistently enough. Mike Williams dropped passes and could have done more to position himself for a deep ball that fell incomplete in the end zone. The Seahawks reached double figures in penalties (counting declined ones). Their chances ended when Jackson held the ball and took a sack on fourth down in the final minutes.

Bryant's blocks: Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant blocked a field-goal try for the third time this season, this one when the game was tied in the second quarter. The block was key because the Redskins were dominating time of possession and had little to show for it. Bryant blocked an extra-point try after a Redskins touchdown put Washington ahead, 20-17, with 6:18 remaining.

Injury concerns: Sidney Rice entered this game with knee soreness. He appeared shaken up early in the game and later appeared wobbly after striking his helmet on the turf following an incomplete pass. Team medical personnel helped Rice off the field. Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne also left the game in the third quarter. Hawthorne, who limped off the field, has had knee trouble. He did return to the game. Starting defensive tackle Alan Branch was named inactive with an ankle injury. Left tackle Russell Okung stayed in the game after McQuistan flew into his legs while committing what officials flagged as a chop block.

Questionable calls: Officials flagged Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson for a 44-yard interference penalty after Williams dropped the ball. This call appeared questionable in real time and on replay, in my view. Later, officials flagged Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright for an illegal high hit on Grossman. Wright shoved Grossman with his hands in the upper chest. Wright's hand might have touched Grossman's facemask, but this hardly appeared to be an egregious foul. Finally, there was no call when Redskins safety LaRon Landry made contact with receiver Doug Baldwin on a deep third-down pass in the final five minutes. Seattle punted.

What's next: The Seahawks are home against Philadelphia on Thursday night.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Here are some initial thoughts on the New York Jets' 28-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills:

What it means: The Jets kept their playoff hopes alive with a crucial victory to improve to 6-5. The win for New York also snapped a two-game losing streak. The Bills played well for three-and-a-half quarters. But for all intents and purposes, Buffalo (5-6) was knocked out of the wild-card race with its fourth consecutive loss.

Sanchez comes through: New York starting quarterback Mark Sanchez struggled most of the game but came through when it mattered most. Sanchez led a key, 82-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter that put the Jets ahead for good. He threw a 16-yard touchdown to receiver Santonio Holmes to close the game. Sanchez received a lot of jeers throughout the game for his struggles. He completed 17 of 35 passes for 180 yards. But Sanchez also had four touchdown passes.

Johnson's TD celebration: The most controversial play of the day came in the second quarter when Buffalo Bills receiver Steve Johnson scored a touchdown over Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. Johnson, after scoring, did a touchdown dance and pretended to shoot himself in the leg, mocking Jets receiver Plaxico Burress. Johnson was flagged 15 yards for excessive celebration. But the move also wasn't in good taste, considering Burress spent years in prison for the incident. Johnson could be hearing from the league office this week.

Happy return: Former Jets receiver Brad Smith made his first return to New York since singing a free-agent contract with the Bills and had his best game of the season. Smith recorded a team-high 77 yards receiving on four receptions, including a 36-yard touchdown catch.

What’s next: The Jets will travel to play the Washington Redskins next week in another must-win game. The Bills will host the Tennessee Titans at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo hasn't played a home game since Nov. 6.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Thoughts on the San Francisco 49ers' victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Candlestick Park in Week 11:

What it means: The 49ers can clinch the NFC West title with a victory at Baltimore and a Seattle loss to Washington. They improved to 9-1 while securing their first winning season since 2002. They have won eight in a row, the fourth-longest streak since 1970 for a team with a rookie head coach. This was an ugly victory, particularly for the 49ers' offense. That's not a bad thing entirely, however. Coach Jim Harbaugh will suffer no shortage of coaching points heading into a much-anticipated game at Baltimore. The Cardinals were worse on offense, making it easier politically for them to transition back to Kevin Kolb at quarterback, provided Kolb's foot and toe injuries heal enough for him to practice this week.

What I liked: The 49ers continued to win with field position and turnovers. Receiver Michael Crabtree played a strong game, breaking tackles and picking up yards after the catch. The 49ers' yards after catch have plummeted overall this season. Crabtree's average YAC had fallen from 5.4 last season to 3.9 through Week 10 this season. He pumped up those numbers Sunday and won his matchups against the Cardinals' Patrick Peterson. Another 49ers receiver, Kyle Williams, also enjoyed a strong game. Williams showed sure hands making catches away from his body. He also caught a scoring pass. The 49ers played suffocating defense, allowing their offense and special teams a fat margin for error. Patrick Willis, Donte Whitner and Dashon Goldson picked off passes. The offense kept plugging away and finally got going. Frank Gore's knee was healthy enough for him to start and play effectively. For the Cardinals, linebacker Stewart Bradley made a couple jarring tackles on special teams, including a memorable one against 49ers punt returner Ted Ginn Jr. Calais Campbell blocked a field goal for the fifth time in his career. The Cardinals' defense played well enough early to keep Arizona close.

What I didn't like: Skelton played his worst game of the season, serving up turnovers with inexplicable throws. He completed 6 of 19 passes for 99 yards, no touchdowns and a 10.5 NFL passer rating. This might have been the worst performance by an NFC West quarterback this season, worse even than Charlie Whitehurst's game for Seattle at Cleveland. On defense, Peterson had issues in coverage, starting poorly when he slipped on the wet grass, allowing a big gain for Crabtree. For the 49ers, quarterback Alex Smith was off-target and off-speed early in the game. Braylon Edwards dropped a couple passes early. Then, when Edwards was open in the end zone, Smith threw too high and too hard for him. Smith also missed a wide-open Crabtree in the end zone, again throwing too hard. The 49ers' usually strong special teams faltered repeatedly. David Akers missed two field-goal tries and had two more blocked, one by Campbell and one by Peterson. The 49ers incurred multiple penalties during returns.

Costly skirmish: Referee Peter Morelli ejected Goldson in the fourth quarter after Goldson threw punches at Cardinals receiver Early Doucet. Doucet had come over to Goldson while Goldson was down, hitting him in the head. The 49ers will now wait to see whether the NFL suspends Goldson for their Thursday night game at Baltimore. If that happens, the 49ers will presumably keep Madieu Williams active. Williams was named inactive Sunday. The 49ers kept Shawntae Spencer active instead.

Block party: The Cardinals blocked two field-goal tries in the same game for the first time since a Sept. 17, 1972 game against the Baltimore Colts. They became the first team since Seattle on Oct. 23 to block more than one in an NFL game.

Empty at fullback: The 49ers lost fullback Bruce Miller to a head injury. Their other fullback, Moran Norris, has been sidelined with a leg injury. It's unclear whether San Francisco will have either player on a short week.

Upon further review: Harbaugh keeps challenging plays whether or not they are reviewable under the rules. After officials denied one request for review, Harbaugh successfully challenged whether Beanie Wells had fumbled or not. The 49ers took over possession and kicked a field goal for a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. That was Harbaugh's third successful challenge in eight coach-initiated reviews this season. Later, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt lost a challenge when he thought Smith's pass traveled backward. Whisenhunt has now challenged seven plays this season, succeeding on four of them.

What's next: The 49ers visit Baltimore for a Thursday night game against the Ravens. The Cardinals visit St. Louis.